My Build: The Good, The Bad & The Progress
03-20-2009, 10:24 AM
#703
Update - complete fail!!!
So I have had a rough few days. My trip to Chicago has been cancelled after sitting at BWI for 8 hours yesterday, 2 planes - both broke down on the tarmac. I should have seen this as a sign of things to come.
I was trying to be slightly stealthy and take the car to F:T on the down low for tuning this weekend. I picked up the car from Hill's on Wednesday night and headed to VA to drop it off. The car drove just fine (still hella loud) and cruises on the highway at 80mph in 6th gear at 2900ish rpm with the new 3.3 rear diff.
I spoke with Dave last night after fleeing from the second failed plane with visions of the Final Destination movies in my head. The ViPEC was wired up, boost control installed and things were looking good. The start-up issue was being worked out and the car was idling smoothly.
Got a call from Dave this morning. After installing the wastegate springs and working on the A/F ratio at idle the car showed zero oil pressure and was exhibiting "rod knock" at idle. Dave says the motor may have spun a bearing, but this is not certain at this time.
Frank is having the car towed back to his shop so the motor can be pulled and torn down to find the cause of the failure. I would like to point out that I am lucky to be working with some of the best shops in the business and am very fortunate to not have any accusations or finger pointing between anyone involved as to what caused this problem. Frank immediately took ownership of the issue, without knowing the cause of the failure, and is dealing with the costs involved with making things right for me. A huge step up for a one man shop.
I will ask only that people do not attempt to wildly speculate on the cause and certainly do not question the competence of either my builder or tuner. They aren't the largest or most well known shops, but they are some of the best IMO.
I will post full results of the teardown and be sure to let everyone know what went wrong and hopefully why. Maybe this motor is just cursed
. I feel somewhat numb to the situation right now, its been a long couple of days and its very had to really miss a car that you haven't driven in almost 4 months.
BTW, I just notified my wife of the issue. She said she was sorry for my failure and asked me where I wanted to go for dinner tonight. Gotta love that girl
.
I was trying to be slightly stealthy and take the car to F:T on the down low for tuning this weekend. I picked up the car from Hill's on Wednesday night and headed to VA to drop it off. The car drove just fine (still hella loud) and cruises on the highway at 80mph in 6th gear at 2900ish rpm with the new 3.3 rear diff.
I spoke with Dave last night after fleeing from the second failed plane with visions of the Final Destination movies in my head. The ViPEC was wired up, boost control installed and things were looking good. The start-up issue was being worked out and the car was idling smoothly.
Got a call from Dave this morning. After installing the wastegate springs and working on the A/F ratio at idle the car showed zero oil pressure and was exhibiting "rod knock" at idle. Dave says the motor may have spun a bearing, but this is not certain at this time.
Frank is having the car towed back to his shop so the motor can be pulled and torn down to find the cause of the failure. I would like to point out that I am lucky to be working with some of the best shops in the business and am very fortunate to not have any accusations or finger pointing between anyone involved as to what caused this problem. Frank immediately took ownership of the issue, without knowing the cause of the failure, and is dealing with the costs involved with making things right for me. A huge step up for a one man shop.
I will ask only that people do not attempt to wildly speculate on the cause and certainly do not question the competence of either my builder or tuner. They aren't the largest or most well known shops, but they are some of the best IMO.
I will post full results of the teardown and be sure to let everyone know what went wrong and hopefully why. Maybe this motor is just cursed
. I feel somewhat numb to the situation right now, its been a long couple of days and its very had to really miss a car that you haven't driven in almost 4 months.BTW, I just notified my wife of the issue. She said she was sorry for my failure and asked me where I wanted to go for dinner tonight. Gotta love that girl
.
03-20-2009, 10:40 AM
#704
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damn man, sorry to hear all the bad luck youve been having. Im sure frank and dave will figure it out. +1 on thier ethics &customer service, there the only people i trust to work on my car at this point
03-20-2009, 11:27 AM
#708
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^^^^no they do not know what exactly failed, the engine still has to be torn down...so no conclusions need to be made until the motor has been torn down... frank is a excellent guy and will take care of his work and find out exactly what is wrong with the car, so dont make judgements or comments before the facts come out....
03-20-2009, 11:34 AM
#710
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what doesn't kill ya makes ya stronger, tough one man good luck on the diagnosis, i don't know frank but after reading this (whole entire thread, good read though)thread he seems like he will take care of it.
03-20-2009, 11:39 AM
#711
^^^^no they do not know what exactly failed, the engine still has to be torn down...so no conclusions need to be made until the motor has been torn down... frank is a excellent guy and will take care of his work and find out exactly what is wrong with the car, so dont make judgements or comments before the facts come out....
03-20-2009, 12:19 PM
#712
Had I not given up drinking for lent I would be hammered right now - this clip pretty much sums up how I'm feeling right now:
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by a christmas tree (a very large christmas tree) 
Our build projects have been anything but smooth. 
- Contest between you and I to see who can handle the most fail before quitting. 
03-20-2009, 01:17 PM
#720
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Man I feel your pain. I had similar luck with a motor of mine a long time ago (4cyl dsm). Just stick it out - its worth it! (Plus I really want to see what your turbo set-up will make)
Good luck
Good luck